I read somewhere there is a ratio you can compare to for you dogs intake of fluid for their weight in pounds. Would anyone know of this? It is like so many ounces per pound over a time period.

~michelle~

February 4th, 2007, 12:03 AM

???? i think it would depend on dog, breed (nordic breeds drink more water when they are indoor because they get so warm) their induvidual taste, and food they have, and illness. im sure there is an appropriate range but i dont think there would be anything really specific

mummummum

February 4th, 2007, 01:22 AM

...and activity/exercize, type of indoor heating, time of year. I can't imagine there could be an accurate ratio ~ too many combinations of influencing factors.

boomdia

February 5th, 2007, 11:19 AM

ok you are right,,, weather,, activity,,, size,, indoor heating... one site quoted - 2 ounces / pound - so my dog is part collie and part golden retriever,, both big parents and she weighs in at 96 pounds. and is drinking about 10 - 12 cups a day... like over a 24 hour period.. Hot water heating and gets about a half hour walk a day... not this weather though... -33 windchill... brrrr.

Prin

February 5th, 2007, 12:46 PM

Boo is an underactive 90 lb dog and he drinks about 6 cups a day on a regular day.:shrug:

Oh and cold weather does cause them to require more water because they are using so much energy to keep warm (saw it on the weather network yesterday so it must be true! :D).

I would never cut back on my doggies' water though. I'd test everything (diabetes, kidneys, etc) and if everything was clear and their food wasn't salty, then I'd leave them be.:shrug: I do try to stop them from drinking too much right after eating though.

SnowDancer

February 5th, 2007, 05:13 PM

I have been having this discussion with my 22 lb. Eskimo. He has his "teacups" of water so I control those amounts, although he has a tendency to want to drink first thing in the a.m. and when Daddy comes home (supper time) - so must of drinking seems to happen at night. BUT the big problem we have now is that Elmo the Eskimo LOVES to eat snow and ice - bad enough when it is "clean" but when it is dirty and has road salt added, definitely not good. I feel bad as we go for our walks using his Martingale so that I can hold his head up - not easy as he is stubborn. Husband hasn't managed to master my technique. Another problem is that husband has no problem coming in front door in salt and snow encrusted boots - and Elmo loves to lick the salt which I think is worse for his kidneys than the excess ice cold water. It is very frustrating to be out fo 1/2 hour with the little devil and then have him race to the basement as soon as we get in because the ice cold snow has hit his kidneys. Yesterday I bought this long, giant Rubbermaid tote - heck it is just about as big as the entryway in our little bungalow - but it has a lid and is high enough to hold the boots and still allow for closure of lid. There were lower versions, but then Elmo could have just licked the salt from the trough - should have called him Piglet.

mummummum

February 5th, 2007, 05:45 PM

Snowdancer ~ I think Elmo may be a cow *dead pan..... ba-dum-dum*Boomdia ~ if you think your dog is drinking waaaaaay to much then it's Vet time. Only you can judge "normal".

boomdia

February 5th, 2007, 11:32 PM

we have been to vet... up to $500.00 and now we are measuring her liquid intake for 4 days,,,, then urine test again. we may be going to a specialist if this proves again that her urine is not concentrated as it shoudl be. had the ACHT ( may have the letters mixed) for Addisons/Cushings and she was ok on that test. blood work was good,,, stool sample good.... just her urine not concentrated. She (Taylor) is part collie part golden retriever, 9 yr. young, and eats "Go" dog food which is all natural and packed full of vitamins w/ glucosamine and chondrointen too for arthritis. so we shall see what the urine test shows this time.